Bringing Home A New Staffy Pup

Hi everyone, I'm new here!

I've been doing my research for a while and now have a few questions. First I'll give some of the background.

About me - I am a 26 year old Speech Pathologist. I work Mon-Fri 8am to 4.30pm. I live about 5 hours away from my family. This will be my first puppy of my own. I grew up with dogs (beagle, staffys, mutts) as family pets, but this little love will be the first of my very own. As I live alone, pup will be alone while I am at work. Pup will also travel regularly to my parents place (5 hours away) where they have a staffy pup (she is about 4 months old).

About the pup - not yet born, but I have reserved a pup due on 23rd June. Will pick him up some time between 8 and 12 weeks old.

Questions:

1. Pup will be born near my parents place. In terms of picking up the pup, I will need to drive five hours to collect him. I would probably prefer to stay overnight at my parents place when I collect him but I'm wondering whether this might confuse him? Would I be better to drive straight back to my house? I am prepared for my puppy to be car sick during the long drive!
2. Inside or outside - we've always had dogs sleep outside in lovely kennels, but spend time with the family inside. This is the arrangement I'd prefer, but I'm wondering about others thoughts?
3. Crate training - my thoughts were for pup to spend time outside. I was going to set up a crate with a play pen attached so he can wander the backyard but not go too far while he is still little. Is this ok? If he will primarily be an outside dog, do I need to crate train inside? I'd like for him to travel in a crate, so would like for him to be comfortable and not do his business in the crate. I'd also like to have a space for him inside where he can go and relax - would a crate be the best option?
4. Puppy preschool, obedience training and doggy day care - will these be sufficient to socialise him?

Anything else I need to know about bringing a new baby home?

Thanks in advance

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Hello staffies are very people orientated dogs , dependant on where you live very much depends whether the dog can be kept outside on a long term basis. They aren't really dogs to be kept outside.
Im not really a fan of crates tbh , but you can have a dog walker or family member come and visit your dog during the day while you are at work. I think once your dog has settled in start the training in little stages 10 minutes each day its good you have plans for puppy classes as these are an excelent way to socialise them while they are still young, once the pup has had vaccinations you will be ready to go. If you plan to use a crate have something with your scent on so the pup settles more easily. Someone will be along with regards to tips on crate training i always let my dog have free run of my house. Hope you have a nice time browsing the forum as there are plenty people here with plenty of advice.

Welcome from me and misty. I completely agree with Crystal and personally don't think Staffies should be left outside. They are people dogs and crave human love. Also a pup will need a lot of care and leaving them outside isn't giving them the best start in life.

I have never used a crate so can't give advice.I'd definitely recommend puppy and training classes. You will learn so much, and it will be great for your pup to meet people and dogs. I really wish my girl had gone to classes when she was small.

Good luck and look forward to puppy pics!

Hi and welcome.

i'm afraid i agree - staffords do need people, it's part of their breed traits. Leaving a young puppy on its own from 8-12 weeks for long periods really isn't an option inside let alone outside. You don't say how long the pup would be left for, or where you live, so it's difficult to give a true perspective.

Have you thought about getting an older dog instead, perhaps one from a rescue or from a breeder who has had one returned?

It doesn't sound like your situation is right for a staffy, their idea of a good time is their humans being with them 24/7. They're really not outdoor kennel dogs either.

I know lurchers and greyhounds are more happy to be chilling by themselves, would you consider a different breed?

I have to say I agree with the others. As well as being very people orientated Staffies have very him coats with no under coat. My puppy has a crate, I put treats in & sometimes he chooses to go in it for a day time nap. I've never shut him in. I'm lucky I work part time so can supervise him. My jack Russell is a good influence too. Could you leave your puppy inside & have a family member, friend or dog walker go & see him when your working

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. Pup would only be outside while I am at work (with a lovely kennel, playpen, toys etc) and would spend all of his time inside when I am there. I don't agree with dogs having free run of the house when humans aren't there - we have never allowed dogs inside while humans are out. I live in a warm climate so there is no worry about the pup being too cold etc. I am happy to be flexible with sleeping arrangements (inside vs outside) depending on what works for us when pup comes home.

I understand that staffys are people dogs - I have had staffys before. I only work 5 minutes from my house so during the formative period will be coming home at lunch to see pup. I can also be flexible in my working hours and will be able to take some time off to spend with pup. In addition, pup will go to doggy day care 2ish times a week to socialise with others and not be at home all alone. This pup will spend all of it's time with me so it's really not going to be neglected if I go to work. All of our previous dogs (staffys included) have been fine spending alone time, it's not like they aren't loved just because they aren't with their humans 24/7.

I need a dog who is well socialised and therefore a rescue is not an option. I need to be certain that the dog will be able to interact with other dogs and I can't guarantee that with a rescue, as much as I'd like to be able to help a rescue out.

This isn't a decision I've made lightly. I've spent a long time thinking about it, researching and planning.

My questions are mainly around:

- What is the best option in terms of picking pup up - as I stated above it will be a five hour drive to my house and I'm wondering if it is better to go straight there or if a stop at my parents house is ok?
- How can I best train my pup to cope with long car rides? Is crate training the best option?

Hello LyssaAndPup me personally its important for your pup to be used to every surrounding. Is there an option you can leave your dog in the boot with a guard for the back seat. Theres also the seatbelt and harness option. With frequent breaks your pup should be ok . Its important to socialise them in all ways . what an exciting journey wishing you the best of luck.

Thanks for your advice Mia05. I've bought a harness that attaches to the seatbelt for the moment. I just want him to be as comfortable as possible, especially knowing he'll make a 5 hour journey at least once a month! I'll see what he likes best when he arrives.

We had left a blanket in Rebels bed at the breeder so it would smell of his Mum & siblings. He sat with my kids in the back on his blanket with a pee pad . We put the belt clip on a wee harness. He was fine on the 2 hour drive but was sick once

I personally believe that there's a big difference between 8 weeks and 12 weeks.
Mine is 8 weeks and we went to fetch her in a large plastic travel case. She slept the whole 2 hours drive home. Breeder had already taken her for a car ride in a case beforehand and made sure she was not fed before we picked her up. We had rubbed her cuddly toy companion on her litter brothers to have a familiar scent.

I presume you'll be driving by yourself ? For safety and comfort reasons, I would travel your puppy in a travel case on passenger seat (turn off airbag !) so you can check on pup whilst being concentrated on the road. Make sure you put lots of old towels in the bottom and don't forget the "emergency kit" (more towels, humid baby wipes, rubber gloves, plastic bags for soiled material, harness/collar + lead in case you have to remove puppy from case to clean).
It would probably be better to head straight home with puppy as it's going to be a very confusing and stressful time, without adding extra hurdles. Could you not sleep over your parent's place the night before getting pup rather than after acquisition ?

Once pup is bigger and harness trained, no problem with using your harness. I was intending on going on that route

Good luck !

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will head straight home instead of the parents house, so he can get used to his new house. Definitely will be making sure I have plenty of blankets! I'd like it to be a positive experience for him as he'll have to do lots of driving so I want him to be as comfortable as possible.

Gizmo was so tiny he was in a cat carrier on the floor by the passenger seat, but that was only a short journey.
He goes in the boot with a divider between him and the back seats now. He is a reluctant traveller and sings the entire way. I think if he was doing four or five hours at a time he'd be more used to it but he's more a fan of trains.

Good luck with journey